New York JFK (JFK) to Manhattan
AirTrain plus subway is roughly USD 12 and about an hour; the AirTrain fare is charged separately at Jamaica or Howard Beach.
- The AirTrain is a separate fare from the subway. It is charged when you enter or exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach, not at the terminals.
- Reckon on roughly USD 12 in total - the AirTrain fare plus a USD 3 subway ride - for the whole trip into Manhattan.
- Between terminals the AirTrain is free. You only pay when you leave the airport system.
- Jamaica connects to the LIRR as well as the subway; the LIRR is faster to Penn Station and costs more.
- Use OMNY - tap your own contactless card on the subway. No MetroCard needed, and the weekly fare cap applies automatically.
How the fares actually work
- The AirTrain is free inside the airport, moving between terminals, car parks and hotel shuttles.
- You pay when you enter or exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach - the two stations where it meets the city.
- The subway is a separate USD 3 fare.
- Total into Manhattan: roughly USD 12, and about an hour depending on the line.
The two exits
| Via | Connects to | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Jamaica | E, J, Z subway and the LIRR | Midtown, Penn Station, anything on the E |
| Howard Beach | A subway | Downtown, Brooklyn, the West Side |
- The LIRR from Jamaica to Penn Station is much faster - about 20 minutes - and costs several times the subway. Worth it if you are running late or heading for Midtown with bags.
- The A train from Howard Beach is slow; it is a long ride through Brooklyn.
Paying
- Use OMNY. Tap your own contactless bank card or phone at the subway turnstile - no MetroCard, no machine.
- OMNY applies a weekly fare cap automatically, so heavy subway use during a week's stay stops charging after a point.
- The AirTrain gate also takes OMNY, so one card does the whole journey.
The alternatives
- A yellow cab from JFK to Manhattan is a flat fare plus tolls, tip and surcharges - published, legitimate, and several times the train.
- Ride-hailing is dynamically priced and can be worse than the cab at busy times.
- In heavy traffic the train wins on time as well as money, which is the argument that actually persuades people.
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